Hip Talk Forum About Hip Resurfacing

Hip Resurfacing General Questions => Hip Resurfacing Topics => Topic started by: jimbone on October 22, 2018, 02:36:34 PM

Title: 6 Week Checkup Recovery Milestones
Post by: jimbone on October 22, 2018, 02:36:34 PM
Hello All,

I am recovering from the second of two hip resurfacing procedures, 1st done 7/16/18 and 2nd on 9/16/18.  Having kept track of a variety of issues during the first recovery interval: pain meds dosages and intervals, home PT reps/progress, pain levels, walking distances, timeline on walking aids, ability to lay on my side [either and both] I find a close timeline relation with the the two surgeries.  Some differences in which muscles/soft tissues react but generally it seems recovery is proceeding as before- incrementally at first, then more significantly and suddenly exponentially [couldn't do a leg raise the day before and then can do 7 without difficulty]. I am currently just shy of 5 weeks post procedure.

I realize many here have been more seriously athletic prior to surgery than myself or at least their chosen events- running, skiing, cycling all of which would have had more highly developed leg/lower body strength.  Work and athletic pursuits led me to concentrate more on upper body strength with a tendency to neglect leg strength.

My question:  At 6 weeks how far were you walking unaided and at what pace?  I understand everyone's recovery is different and comparisons are questionable.  Just trying to see if there is a general consensus of how far along most patients find themselves.  I saw somewhere on Dr. Gross's website he liked to see his patents walking 1 mile unaided at 6 weeks.  Haven't been able to relocate that but fairly certain that was the anticipated metric.  My objective is to determine if I am setting the bar too low for myself and should I be further along or pushing myself harder.  Currently walking 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 mostly in 1/4 mile laps with brief stretching in between and able to do 1/2 mile laps alternatively all of which is done with either a cane or treking poles.  This does result in considerable morning leg soreness most days.  A Tylenol, an Ibeprofun, hot shower and cold rinse usually gets me through and back at it.  Any thoughts on the matter of improving recovery would be welcome.
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